High Fade – Live – Oran Mor – shock city productions / wasserman booking

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Review By Darren McIntyre Photos By Scott Anderson

Scotland has produced many many great bands in it’s time, Simple Minds, Texas, Del Amitri, Primal Scream, Travis, Big Country, Biffy Clyro to name but a few, the time has come to introduce a new name to that category High Fade – a funk / disco / groove trio from Edinburgh who appeared on our scene in 2018. The boys have played over 1000 shows in their time and have fans the likes of Jack Black, Cypress Hill, Deep Purple’s Glenn Hughes & Brad Wilk from Rage Against The Machine. The boys have given us 12 singles & 1 EP since they got together to mesmerise us with their infectious brand of killer grooves, they have conquered the USA twice and are about to embark on their 3rd tour soon but tonight they are about to take to the stage of Oran Mor for a sold out show that will be their biggest headline show to date. The place is rammed with gig goers of all ages and the atmosphere is reaching fever pitch as the boys swagger onto the hallowed arena that is The Venue @ Oran Mor so please strap yourself in as I take us on a sonic journey of epic proportions as this epic 3 piece enter the arena to rapturous applause, first to kick the night into overdrive is the awesome –

Airplane Mode – Harry steps forward and says hi Glasgow and thanks for coming out before he shreds his way to a classy groove that brings in Ollie on a funking bassline that is just incredible. The rhythm section kicks in the doors with a real killer beat that brings a sharp cymbal snap that works so well with a pounding bass kick as this awesome beast rears it’s head, the slick, crisp guitar licks are just awesome as they set the scene for what is going to be an incredible night of funk / disco rock n roll with the intention of getting us to boogie all night long and then some. The musicianship is off the scale awesome as Harry leads the charge with his colossal guitar playing that is wrapped is soulful funk laden bass tones that are just on the money, Calvin is a real beast on the drum kit as he is just delivering a full on groove that just elevates tonight’s show to another level, the place is going mental and everyone is rocking and rolling and the place is already dripping with sweat and the boys have just kicked tonight off, up next –

Scorpion – Harry strums on his guitar and rattles out a slick, crisp, grooving lick that allows this funkalicious beast to get us all moving and shaking as the boys join the party and let the good times roll. The rhythm section is hitting us with a real punchy snare drum groove as the cymbal snaps control the tone before Ollie comes full assault with a delicious bassline that just gets the party moving, Harry asks us to join in as he gets the crowd to participate in a little sing song that just gets the place rocking. The crowd are in fine form as they join in and really set the tempo as the boys give it to us and then some, a fast furious toe tapping thigh slapping beast that just lets us know that these boys have something special to give to the fine people of Glasgow tonight, the tempo is rocking, the crowd are rocking and we are in for one hell of a show from these three amigos as they lead us into –

Dwee Ba Ba – The tempo is cranked up a notch as the funk groove comes at us courtesy of Ollie as he drops colossal bassline grooves all over this toe tapping monster as the boys get their funk on. The rhythm section is commanding the gig from the back of the room as the place is rocking and rolling and swaying from side to side with sheer joy as the boys hit the thrust button, Ollie is bopping all over the stage as he drops epic tones that work perfectly in this disco groover that is hitting all the right notes. Harry steps forward and rocks out with his gravelly soulful vocals that just let the place feel the delicious tones as they wrap themselves around the fine folk in Oran Mor tonight. The boys stop for a second and have a little chat and again thank us for making tonight their biggest sell out show to date which draws a huge cheer from this swelling crowd, coming at us next is the epic –

Take Me To The Floor – Harry steps up and sizzles on his guitar before Ollie drops in with epic basslines that simply light up the venue tonight as the boys continue to dazzle with a flawless groove. The rhythm section is dropping sweet snare drum beats as the cymbal snaps control the tone of this 80’s inspired groover track that would be right at home in Studio 54 in New York let me tell you, the whole place is fixed on the stage as the boys settle into their stride and really lift this place with a funkalicious night of cool beats that are just incredible. The tempo switches pace as the boys go through the gears and really drive this fantastic rocker straight through the heart of Glasgow tonight, we are really feeling the pace tonight as the boys kick in the doors and give it to us big time as we move onto –

Keep The Fire Burning – The guitar shreds are oozing from the stage as the boys get ready to hit us with another bruising beast that is sure to get the feet moving for sure. The pace is fast, furious, funky and fresh as the tempo burns up the place as Harry sizzles with slick, clean chords that are littered with his soulful vocals as this cool funk laden number works with the crowd tonight. The slick clean riffs are held together with a funky bassline that is just oozing depth, quality and swagger as the boys keep the place on high alert with their grooving tones as we are feeling the heat that is pouring from the stage tonight, the place is sizzling with joy as these boys take us through the gears and then some as the rhythm section brings the funk with a deep pounding bass kick that just delivers with ease. The pace is fast, furious and is really hotting up as the place gets into full swing with these three dudes that just keep moving, coming our way next –

Gossip – Sizzling drum beat rings out as the cymbal snaps let the groove flow through the place tonight as the boys drop a sweet funking groove that gets the feet moving to an infectious beat. The cool guitar licks are building and building as Harry lets rip with a salvo that just puts a fire under our feet tonight as the deep funking bass drops epic beats that really let this track breathe, the place is grooving and feeling the funk as Calvin drops in with a pounding solo that grabs our attention as he goes through the gears of this punchy groovalicious monster that just ticks all the boxes. The boys are bringing the fire to Glasgow tonight as they drive forward with ease and really up the anty of this toe tapping thight slapping rock n roller track that leads us onto –

Fur Coat – The track kicks off with a deep pulsing bassline that is followed by a punchy snare drum kick that really allows the groove to flow as the boys shift through the gears. The sweet melodic guitar licks are just sizzling as they rise to the surface and really get your feet moving with their intense funk groove that is just so infectious, the whole place is grooving as the boys bring the funk to Glasgow tonight as this cool trio work tirelessly to let us know that they appreciate every single person in the venue tonight. Harry shreds away with precision as this colossal track changes tempo mid song as the boys bring down the groove so we can appreciate every note that is pouring from the stage as the boys get us all warm and fuzzy with a real killer groove laden number that hits all the right notes, the place is entering fever pitch as we stroll into the epic –

Bone To Pick -The tempo is upped as this toe tapping funkalicious groover hits us with sheer slick guitar licks that are accompanied by a punchy rhythm section that is bringing the groove with snare drum beats and cymbal snaps that really give it an edge. The dark, brooding bass is dropping meaty funk tones that just wrap themselves around this colossal arrangement that is just grabbing our attention as the boys bring us a real soul searching funky groove laden track that just gets you moving and shaking. Harry gets us to put our hands up and move them from side to side in a little competition with the crowd as they navigate through this fantastic cool piece, we are tearing through the setlist as hit the classic –

Gossip – A punchy rhythm section comes in as the song goes up to fever pitch as the boys come at us all guns blazing in this electric grooving monster as the cymbal snaps control the groove with ease. Harry is let off the leash as he shreds with ease through the track and really gives us his all as Ollie joins in and drops epic bassline grooves that just get us all hot and bothered as their slick funky groove beats get us moving and shaking with ease, the rhythm section is commanding the room with fast, furious beat that rolls into a full on drum solo that just takes the roof off of Oran Mor tonight. These boys really know how to entertain as they pound their way through this foot stomping setlist that shows no signs of slowing down as the furious tempo gives us goosepimps as they slide into the epic –

Jam – Boom and off we go as this punchy rocking beast kicks in the doors and lets us have it with both barrels as the tempo reaches 10 and then some as this epic track rears it’s head. The musicianship between these boys is something special as they bounce off each other and really deliver a sonic experience that will have you talking about these boys for a long time to come, the rhythm section is bringing the funk with a solis snare drum kick that is joined by thundering cymbal crashes that let this monster bring the soul to us fine folk tonight. The boys are delivering short, sharp bursts of hugh energy groove tones that have us dancing and singing all night as they really know how to get the place rocking, we stroll quietly into –

Chameleon(Herbie Hancock) – The groove continues as Harry lets rip with an onslaught of slick, clean guitar licks that really get this track off the ground as the boys drop the hammer. There is a mash up in this track as the riffs are familiar as Harry belllows out and gets Calvin to hit us with a full on bouncing rhythm section that is wrapping itself around the venue tonight as a sweet, deep pulsing bassline delivers colossal dark, meaty funk tones that are just filling every corner of this place as the people continue to dance, groove and feel the energy pouring from the stage as the boys show no signs of slowing down as they drive their juggernaut right through the heart of Glasgow tonight, coming at us next is –

Burnin – A shredding guitar lick opens the track as bass kicks let us know we are about to be smacked straight in the face with this killer track that is just awesome. The funking bassline is coming for us and it drops dark meaty beats that allow the groove to wrap itself around us as the place reaches fever pitch and then some, the crowd are hot, sweaty and really digging the boys as they deliver a no nonsense gig that just ticks all the boxes and where else will you find a high energy, grooving, full on night of funk but anywhere else than Glasgow. The rhythm section is bringing us a full on beatfest as Calvin drops the hammer and gets us all hot and bothered with his intense funk tone that is just delicious, the slick clean guitar licks are allowing us to watch in awe as Harry delivers sweet, mellow groove chords that are just so intense that we are begging for more, we move onto a real crowd favourite in the form of –

Sharpen Up – A cool sweet guitar riff opens the track as the boys weigh in with a full on bassline explosion that just grabs your attention as the track gathers pace and we get ready to groove. The cool furious guitar licks are wrapping themselves around this colossal track that just tingles our senses as the boys get us grooving and then some, the funking bass is dropping cool, mellow notes all through the arrangement as the boys show no signs of slowing down as the tempo grabs us and gets us moving and a shaking with ease. The track gathers momentum as the intensity reaches fever pitch as the boys ramp up the pressure and really give it to us straight, the rhythm section is commanding the room as it gives us solid snare drum punches and killer cymbal snaps that just elevate this number to the next level as the boys drive through the gig with real swagger, next up is –

Life’s Too Fast – A funky deep bassline drops in as the pounding rhythm section kicks in and gets this monster off the ground as the boys sizzle and shake with this toe tapping number. Harry vocals are sweet with a real energy that really lets the track tell it’s own story for sure as we feel the swagger ripping from this awesome piece, the tempo is a real rocking guitar driven vibe as the boys up the anti with a real slick guitar / bass groove that is wrapped in a powering rhythm section that is just driving this epic arrangement forwards, the track is fast, furious, groovy and full of attitude as we hurtle towards our final couple of tracks in this incredible night of disco laden groovealicious night of fantastic proportions, next up is –

Burnt Toast & Coffee – The boys ask us to sing along with them as they drop a colossal dark funky groove on Oran Mor tonight that just punches us straight in the face and then some. The rhythm section is coming at us with a soulful punchy snare drum beat that brings bass kicks and cool cymbal snaps that let the groove flow, bass is handing us a real dirty, dark, meaty funk tone that is letting these fine folk dance and sing at the top of their voices tonight as we punch the air with joy as we have witnessed something rather special tonight as the place is bouncing and really feeling the love coming from the boys tonight as Harry shreds away and watches the crowd really get into this fantastic toe tapping fist punching number as we roll into the final track in the form of –

Break Stuff – Harry drops in with a real heavy gritty guitar riff that lets Calvin bring the noise with a heavy pounding beat that lets this monster cover come to life. Ollie drops epic basslines that just wrap themselves around this iconic number as the place goes mental with real joy as we go back to our youth with this epic number that is just off the scal good, the boys are asking the crowd to swing their arms from side to side as this epic number reaches everyone in the audience as we feel the electricity fill the place as we fun k and groove to these real talented 3 piece, the track is short, sharp in your face good and a real perfect way to end this epic night.

High Fade –

Harry Valentino – Guitar / Vocals

Oliver Sentance – Bass / Backing Vocals

Calvin Davidson – Drums / Backing Vocals

Setlist –

Airplane Mode

Scorpion

Dwee Ba Ba

Take Me To The Floor

Keep The Fire Burning

Gossip

Fur Coat